THE expected sell-out crowd of more than 30,000 at the SEA Games Opening Ceremony on June 5 are set to witness history, as the three-hour spectacle will boast the world's largest projection system used in any sporting event to date.

The floor of the National Stadium will be transformed into a massive screen, courtesy of 160 high-definition projectors. In comparison, the unforgettable 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony featured 146 such projectors while Singapore's National Day Parade typically showcases around 60.

"We are very aware that people want to see something they have not seen before - and we believe that will be the case here," said Kenny Wong, technical director of the Games' opening and closing ceremonies (OCC).

"There will be many 'wow' moments but at the end of the day, we also want spectators to feel touched in a way."

The crowd, including the millions of television viewers across South-east Asia, will also be entertained by a host of flying performers and props, including a 20 metre-long dragon that will "fly" just below the venue's domed roof.

Together with the 5,000 performers and volunteers, the spectators will transform the stadium into a kaleidoscope of colours and pageantry to launch the 28th SEA Games.

Hosts for the first time since 1993, Singapore will be welcoming more than 7,000 athletes and officials across 36 sports for the region's biggest multi-sport event in the Republic's Golden Jubilee year.

Its scale will surpass the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, which involved around 5,000 athletes and officials across 26 sports.